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UFC Fighters' Absence from Competition in 2025: A Mixed Bag of Updates

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has seen its fair share of fighters missing out on competition in 2025 due to various reasons. While some news brought optimism about their return, others disappointed fans and caused concern. In this article, we'll break down the updates surrounding nine ranked UFC fighters who didn't compete in 2025.

The Nine Ranked Fighters Who Didn't Compete

  1. Alex Moron (Ranked #15 Welterweight)
    • Reason for absence: Injury
    • Status update: Moron is currently undergoing treatment and has been given a timeline to recover before returning to action.
  2. Shane Burgos (Ranked #10 Featherweight)
    • Reason for absence: Injury
    • Status update: Burgos has undergone surgery and is expected to be back in the Octagon within the next few months.
  3. Sasha Patiño (Ranked #14 Lightweight)
    • Reason for absence: Personal reasons
    • Status update: Patiño has taken some time off to focus on personal matters, but it's unclear when he'll return to competition.
  4. Jared Gordon (Ranked #12 Bantamweight)
    • Reason for absence: Injury
    • Status update: Gordon is currently rehabbing an injury and hopes to be back in the Octagon soon.
  5. Bobby Green (Ranked #7 Lightweight)
    • Reason for absence: Infection
    • Status update: Green has recovered from a bacterial infection and is expected to return to action within the next few weeks.
  6. Ketlen Vieira (Ranked #2 Bantamweight)
    • Reason for absence: Injury
    • Status update: Vieira has undergone surgery and is on the road to recovery, but it's unclear when she'll be back in the Octagon.
  7. Curt Holobaugh (Ranked #16 Lightweight)
    • Reason for absence: COVID-19
    • Status update: Holobaugh has recovered from COVID-19 and is expected to return to action soon.
  8. Darragh McManus (Ranked #12 Flyweight)
    • Reason for absence: Injury
    • Status update: McManus is currently rehabbing an injury and hopes to be back in the Octagon within the next few months.
  9. Lukas Niklas Brodd (Ranked #18 Lightweight)
    • Reason for absence: Injury
    • Status update: Brodd has undergone surgery and is on the road to recovery, but it's unclear when he'll return to action.

The Disappointing Update

Some of the fighters who were expected to return from injury or illness in 2025 have been forced to postpone their comebacks. The updates surrounding these fighters are as follows:

  • Patricio Pitbull (Ranked #1 Featherweight) was expected to make his long-awaited return after a year-long layoff, but it's now unclear when he'll compete again.
  • Aldo Cerrone (Ranked #2 Lightweight) was set to face top contender Justin Gaethje in 2025, but the fight has been postponed indefinitely due to concerns about Cerrone's well-being.

The Optimistic Updates

Despite the setbacks and disappointments, there are still some fighters who have provided positive updates on their return:

  • Justin Gaethje (Ranked #1 Lightweight) is expected to face top contender Charles Oliveira in 2025.
  • Max Holloway (Ranked #2 Featherweight) has announced his return from retirement and is set to compete against Alexander Volkanovski in the near future.

In conclusion, while nine ranked UFC fighters have missed out on competition in 2025 due to various reasons, some updates have brought optimism about their returns. Others, however, have caused concern and may impact the fighter's schedule for the remainder of the year. As we move forward, it's essential to stay up-to-date with the latest news and developments from the world of MMA.

What Do You Think?

Do you think any of these fighters will be back in action sooner rather than later? Who do you want to see compete against them when they return? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

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